Destination Run: Otsu Waterfront & Parks

It’s a worth-it destination run to head to Otsu for a run along Lake Biwa — Japan’s largest lake! The capital of Shiga Prefecture, Otsu is a city of 500,000 located a 30-minute drive or train ride from Kyoto. The signature run is nearly 7 km along the western shore of Lake Biwa. It’s mainly on dedicated paths, with nice water views and passing through several parks.

Start centrally near the ferry terminal and head south, on wide, stone-surfaced boardwalk path. The first 2 km are through Hamaotsunagisa Park. You’ll then pass a waterfront museum, Biwako Hall performance center, continuing through a park, with open water views. Between kms 3.4-4.5 is Mizusaisei Center Okujo Park & Sunshine Beach. Continue past the bridge, with the final 2 km passing through Zeze Castle Site Park, through to the southern end of Ōtsu Kogan Nagisa Park.

Add-On: From the northern terminus of the run, you can run for 1 km northwest to the Ojiyama Sports Park, which features a terrific running track. Just north of there is Ojigaoka Park, a hilly city park with ~2 km of paths.